Peugeot E-Partner vs Subaru Trailseeker

What's the difference?

In 2023 Peugeot commands around 50 per cent of sales in Australia’s small (under 2.5-tonne GVM) commercial van segment with its Partner range, which offers a choice of wheelbase lengths and model grades.

The French marque has recently introduced its first fully electric variant to the Australian market called the e-Partner, even though this van has been on sale in Europe since 2021.

We recently put one to work for a week, which included loading it up to the max, to see how it compares to its petrol-powered sibling.

For a vehicle that Subaru has touted as a Sport Electric Vehicle, promising the all-terrain adventuring the brand is known for, the Trailseeker AWD looks like it should be stepping up to the plate with plenty of confidence.

It has all the ingredients on paper: electric power, decent driving range, all-wheel drive and the sort of go-anywhere credentials Subaru buyers have come to expect.

But is an electric wagon-SUV-crossover really the product Aussies have been screaming out for? Will you happily point this towards Alpine country and strap your skis to the roof, or has Subaru swung a little too hard here?

Because the electric vehicle market is getting crowded, with what seems like a new brand arriving every other week. The Trailseeker has some serious competition from the likes of the Skoda Enyaq, Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X and they're all vying for attention.

I've spent the week finding out what makes the Trailseeker AWD stand out.